CNERG: Gently nurturing hardiness in young children: A framework for parents and educators

Dr. Debashis Dutta, School of Community Services

This CNERG project explored resilience, focusing on how individuals 'bounce back' from adversity and challenge. Resilience was framed not only as an outcome but as a process of growth, learning, and making meaning from difficult experiences. While much emphasis has traditionally been placed on the personal skills individuals use to overcome hardship, this project shifted attention to the environmental and structural factors that support resilience, particularly within communities. A critical component of resilience, termed 'hardiness' or grit, was examined, addressing contemporary criticisms of adolescents and young adults for lacking this trait and the resulting mental health issues they face. The research highlighted the external pressures on today's youth, such as social media and economic challenges, and underscored the importance of community support in fostering hardiness. 

Using a qualitative approach, the project engaged daycare providers to gather their perspectives on and observations of hardiness in children. The participants were asked to describe the methods they employed to nurture this trait. The primary outcome was the development of a framework for childcare providers aimed at enhancing the nurturing of hardiness in children while remaining sensitive and supportive. This framework, grounded in established theories of hardiness, identified and elaborated on the skills caregivers already practice and suggested additional skills to foster resilience in children. The framework's utility extended beyond childcare to potentially benefit parenting practices and build community support systems that bolster resilience in children.